NFL roundup: Bears, Allen strike four-year deal

Defensive end Jared Allen on Wednesday signed a four-year, $32 million deal with the Chicago Bears, who were not known to be in the bidding for one of the NFL's most productive pass rushers.

Allen, 31, is the third free-agent defensive end to sign in Chicago this offseason. He joins Lamarr Houston, who could play defensive tackle, and Willie Young on the overhauled Bears defense.

The contract structure sets up as a likely two-year contract but with $15.5 million guaranteed, Allen certainly has enough incentive to keep chasing quarterbacks. His 2014 and 2015 salaries are fully guaranteed.

Allen's agent broke off talks with the Minnesota Vikings three days before the start of unrestricted free agency, when Minnesota committed $42.5 million to sign Everson Griffen to a five-year deal. Allen considered retirement but took visits to Dallas and Seattle and had interest from other teams, including the Denver Broncos.

---The NFL approved more rules proposals during its annual ownership meetings in Orlando, Fla.

Receiving the league's go-ahead for next season was a five-foot extension of the goalposts, allowing the recovery of a loose ball on the field to be reviewable and permitting the game clock to continue running after a sack outside of the two-minute mark.

Among the measures that failed were expanding replay to all plays, moving kickoffs to the 40-yard line, pushing back extra-point attempts to the 25-yard line and allowing an unlimited number of players on injured reserve to return to the active roster.

---Philadelphia Eagles coach Chip Kelly spoke with DeSean Jackson several days ago about persistent trade rumors but indicated the wide receiver's future with the team remains up in the air.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported that he told some teammates after his discussion with Kelly that he would be staying with the Eagles. But Kelly did not seem to indicate to reporters that Jackson's status was secure.

Jackson posted career highs in catches with 82 and receiving yards with 1,332 yards and had nine touchdowns last season.

---Commissioner Roger Goodell said there is no opportunity on the immediate horizon for an NFL franchise in Los Angeles.

"We want to be back in Los Angeles," Goodell said. "But we don't have any solid proposal or plan yet."

Stalled progress on potential stadium plans limit the optimism for placing a team in the region in the near future.

Goodell also said no votes were cast on expanding the playoffs but he sensed positive response to adding two or more teams to the postseason.

---The St. Louis Rams reached a contract agreement with veteran quarterback Shaun Hill to back up starter Sam Bradford.

The deal for the 34-year-old is for one year at $1.75 million with incentives elevating Hill's potential earnings to $2.5 million, NFL Media reported.

---The Buffalo Bills and Pittsburgh Steelers have agreed to hold joint practice sessions, pending league approval, during the 2014 and 2015 training camp periods.

Buffalo will travel to Latrobe, Pa., this year with the Steelers traveling to the Bills' summer camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, N.Y., in 2015. The dates and times of the team activities are dependent on the release of the NFL preseason schedule.

---The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed former New York Giants wide receiver Louis Murphy to a one-year contract.

The 26-year-old Murphy played in 14 games for the Giants last season, catching six passes for 37 yards and a touchdown.

---Former Buffalo Bills quarterback Jim Kelly will not undergo surgery on Thursday to treat an aggressive, spreading recurrence of cancer, his wife said.

Jill Kelly posted Wednesday on Facebook that "the cancer is in areas that surgery cannot successfully eradicate." She had written on Instagram earlier this week that the plan was for her husband to have surgery in Manhattan.

According to reports, Jim Kelly was in and out of hospitals for the past 10 days. The Hall of Famer was diagnosed with upper jaw cancer last June and had surgery to remove part of his jawbone.

---Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko, who has not missed a start since 2009, has agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2016, The Cincinnati Enquirer reported.

Peko was due $4.125 million for the 2014 season, which was slated to be his last before the extension.

---New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton said he expects the team to reach a long-term contract extension with Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham.

The Saints used the one-year franchise tag on Graham on March 3. Both sides have been in negotiations, and Payton is confident a deal will be complete before the July deadline.

Graham led the Saints in receptions (86), yards (1,215) and touchdowns (16) last season.

---Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said quarterback Tony Romo, who underwent back surgery in December, is ahead of schedule in his rehab from back surgery.

Jones said Romo has not started throwing passes, but he is expected to take part in the team's offseason program, which begins April 21.